Transcript

Sermon Transcript: Greater than Angels

2/13/2022 Jeff Schwarzentraub 41 min read

Father in heaven, we give you all the glory, honor and praise for who you are. And Lord, we pray that as we spend a few minutes in your work today that you would speak clearly to us. Lord, we praise you, we celebrate you, we worship your name. And Lord, we want you to know that we believe you indeed are the King of kings and the Lord of lords. We submit our hearts afresh to you again, and ask you to move mightily in our lives. And so for all who are gathered here to desire to hear the Lord speak to you, who will believe what he says, and will by faith put into practice what he shows you, will you agree with me very loudly this morning by saying the word, amen.

Amen.

Sometimes when we go to a sporting event, or we go to a church service, or specifically, when we go see perhaps a musical or a drama or a play, we enjoy what's going on there. But there's something about us where we want to know what's happening behind the scenes. We talk like this, "I want to know what's happening behind the curtain. Like, what's really going on? How can I see behind what's taking place?" And so at times, some of us have been able to look behind the curtain at a theater, or we've been able to look behind the curtain at a sporting event, when we've gone and been introduced to different players or coaches that have played. Sometimes after somebody gives a political speech, we get to go behind the curtain and meet them personally.

And from personal experience over the years, sometimes what we think is going to be an incredible experience, when we peel back the curtain is somewhat disappointing. It's like, that's who they are? Or that's all this is? They were better performing than they actually were in person. Even when we get to the movie like The Wizard of Oz, many of us have seen that show, we want to see who's behind the curtain. And it's just this little guy, this wizard that's doing all these things. And he's like, "He's the one pulling the strings, that's it."

But I got great news for you this morning. As we study the person and work of Jesus Christ, if you ever wondered what's behind the curtain? Who is this Jesus? What is it really like to get to know him? I'm going to tell you, you'll never be disappointed. It's always greater than what you think. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. And who he is, is so incredible, that when God peels back the curtain and gives us a greater picture of who he is, all we can say in our hearts is glory.

The book of Revelation is often referred to as the apocalypse. We studied that book a year ago, it's the unveiling of the person and work of Jesus Christ and who he is and what he's going to reveal himself being. This book of Hebrews, as we started it last week, and looked at the first three verses and took a look at seven attributes that makes Jesus Christ the greatest of all time, we could say, if we only had those three verses, we don't even need the rest of the book. I mean, in those three verses is like mic drop. Is there anybody else? And yet, much like a speech that talks about the greatest, now we begin to unpack, well, who's the greater than? And what's his story been like? And how great is he really. And today we're going to take a look at is the fact of this, that Jesus Christ is greater than angels.

Jesus Christ is greater than any created spiritual being anywhere. And it's so important for us to understand this. Because in our day, even for people that don't believe in Jesus Christ, there's something cheek about being spiritual. I'm kind of a spiritual person or spirits talk to me, or we can read your future. I'm here to tell you on the authority of God's word, what you're about ready to learn today, Jesus Christ is greater than any spiritual being ever. Period. End of story. Amen? So today, we're going to take a look at four qualities that Jesus Christ possesses that makes him greater than any angel. That makes him greater than any angel. If you ever copy the scriptures, I invite you to open up to Hebrews 1. We're going to take a look at verses 4 through 14. I'd like to read them aloud.

And what you're going to see in the book of Hebrews is very similar to Matthew's Gospel, is that there are so many Old Testament references. There's so many scriptures that are used to show that not only is it like this now, it's always been that way. And so we're going to take a look at seven scriptures from the Old Testament that testify to the fact that Jesus is greater than angels. Hear the Word of the Lord.

After we read those first three verses, talking about his seven wonderful attributes, it says in verse four, "Having become as much better than the angels as he has inherited a more excellent name than they, for to which of the angels did he ever say, 'You are my son, today I have begotten you. And again, I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me?' And when again, he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, 'And let all the angels of God worship Him.' And of the angels, he said, 'Who makes his angels winds and his ministers a flame of fire.'

But of the sun, he says, 'Your throne, oh, God is forever and ever, and the righteous scepter is the scepter of his kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness. Therefore, God, your God has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your companions. And you Lord in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the works of your hands, they will perish but you remain, and they will become old like a garment. And like a mantle, you will roll them up. Like a garment, they will also be changed, but you are the same. And your years will not come to an end.' But to which of the angels has he ever said, 'Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet?' Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation?"

And here in this text, the author of Hebrews wants us to see in the Word of God, the qualities that Jesus Christ possesses that makes him greater than the angels. He's always been greater than the angels, and he always will be greater than the angels. So just a little word on angels, who are the angels? Angels are created spiritual beings by God. They serve in three main roles, there's several roles they serve in, but one of the roles they serve in as messengers. They're messengers on behalf of God. Oftentimes, when we read through the Bible, we see that an angel has been dispatched from the throne to go communicate a message to somebody.

When angel comes to Mary and says, "Mary, do not fear. Do not be afraid." The angel tells Mary that she is going to give birth to a son who's going to be the Savior of the world. An angel appears to Joseph. He has four different encounters with an angel so that he'll actually believe what the angel told Mary, he needed some help. And every time we see these angels come, even at Jesus Christ resurrection, where we see a couple angels sitting on the tomb and the stones rolled away, and the SEAL Team Six for the Roman Emperor is laying flat, they say to the ladies, "Do not be afraid. It's Jesus who you're looking for is not here, He is risen."

When angels get dispatched, they're are such powerful spiritual beings that are around the throne of God, that when they get dispatched as messengers, they are powerful spiritual beings, but make no mistake, they're created. God created them. It says in God's word, that they were there cheering on the creation of the world. In Job 38:6-7, it talks about them. It says, when he talks about the creation of the world, "On what were its basis sunk or who laid its cornerstone when the morning stars," that's angels, "sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy." Sons of God, they shouted for joy. The angels were watching creation.

You say, well, when were the angels created? Some people say, well, they've been here for millions and billions of years. No. In Genesis 1, we see in the beginning, God created the heavens and the Earth, all things visible and invisible thrones, dominions, rulers and authorities, all things were created for him, by Him and for Him. He created all things. The angels were created during Creation Week, very likely on day one, certainly day one, two or three. And as they were created, whenever they were created, they were cheering God on and worshiping him as he laid the foundation of the world. So that's when angels were created.

You say, well, how do you know it was then? Because in Isaiah 14 in talking about the devil himself ... I'm sorry. Yeah, Ezekiel 28. Isaiah 14, Ezekiel 28 are all a little bit about the devil. In Ezekiel 28:15, it says, "You are blameless in all your ways from the day you were created until unrighteousness was found in you." The devil was created on a day. Prior to creation week, there were no days, there was eternity. All created beings, visible and invisible, were created during the six days of creation. That's what makes our gods so powerful. Jesus spoke spiritual beings into existence. And they're messengers. They're powerful messengers.

You remember in the book of Daniel, when Daniel prayed and didn't get the answer that he wanted? Anybody here ever prayed and not get the answer you wanted? Ask God, hey, God help and there seems to be no answer. Well, that happened to David too. And when the angel arrived, here's what the angel told him after he had prayed. In Daniel 10:12, he said, "Then he said to me, 'Do not be afraid.'" There's those words again, "Do not be afraid, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart on understanding this and humbling yourself before God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to your words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia was withstanding me for 21 days.

"Then behold, Michael, one of the chief priests came to help me for I had been left there with the kings of Persia. Now I have come to give you an understanding of what will happen to your people in the latter days for the vision pertains to the days yet future." So Daniel began to pray, what's the future look like? What's this going to be like? He humbled Himself said, "God, I need an answer." God dispatched an answer from an angel. But it took him 21 days to get there. Do you know why? Because there was spiritual battle in the heavenly realms, and the angel couldn't get there. So God sent the Archangel Michael to help do the battle to release this angel to get the message to Daniel so that we'd have that pinned so we know what's going to happen.

Now, I have all sorts of things I want to ask God when I get to heaven. And I have different seasons where I asked different prayers. Right now in this season, if I could ask a prayer and ask God to answer anything, I would ask God this, "Hey, God, opened my eyes so that I can see what's going on supernaturally when we're having service. Just for one minute, just let me see." Because the Bible says that our battle is not against flesh and blood, but who's our battle against? Principalities. Rulers of darkness. Who's that? Demons, fallen angels. Everything that takes place here is spiritual.

It's not about you coming and physically singing songs. It's not about you sitting and physically hearing me speak. There's something supernatural, it happens when we gather for the worship of God, and His Word is faithfully proclaimed, and people are seeking his faith. And the gospel is proclaimed. There's something spiritual that takes place that's transformative. It changes who we are. Now we can miss it. Bible says, we can miss it, we can come and participate and go home, so I got nothing out of that. That's on you. But God says when we gather and we seek him and we pursue him, he always follows through.

So angels are messengers, they're powerful messengers. They're servants. They're helpers. They come to help in times of need. We'll see as we get later in the book of Hebrews that sometimes some of us have attended to angels unaware. Some of you may have a story where you believe that there was an angel that helped you. All of us have had angels that have helped us at times, whether we're aware of that or not. I believe about a month ago when I had my accident and was nearly knocked out and was knocked out unconscious for a period of time, I believe God was ministered to me in some way that I didn't see. And that God sent to women. They weren't angels. They were two ladies that we met later. But they were certainly angels to me. Right? These angels are spiritual beings.

You'll remember in the book of 2 Kings, remember when the armies of Aram were surrounding Elisha, and he sent his servant out in the morning. And his servant comes out in the morning and looks around and says, "Oh, my goodness, we're toast. We are dead." Look at all of the armies around us. And Elisha says, "Do not fear, those who are with us are greater than those that are with them." And he was like, "Say what? You might want to come out here and take a look around." And Elisha comes out, and here's how Elisha prays. In 2 Kings 6:17, Elisha prayed, "Oh, Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see." That's all he prayed. Let him see what's actually taking place.

Now God actually answered this prayer. And the Lord opened the servant's eyes, and he saw and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. So when his spiritual eyes were open, he went from saying, "We're totally outnumbered." When God rolled back his physical eyes so he could see spiritually what was going on, he cocked his shoulders back and was like, "Okay, got more with us." What you need to understand is when you tap into God, God with you, is greater than anything else is going on in the world, or any other problem that you face. Angels are messengers being used of God that deliver messages. Angels are servants of the Lord. Angels are also worshipers of God.

We read about this all through Revelation 4 and 5, and we saw it in Revelation 19. We see it every time the angels are around, they are worshiping and adoring God's Son. They honor him, they give him praise, they give him glory. That's what they do. They're obedient to him. And here's what he's saying, Jesus Christ is greater than angels. He's greater than angels. In this world where there's fortune cookies, and tarot cards, and fortune tellers, and all these other people that think that they're so spiritual, Jesus Christ is greater than any spirit, because every spirit was created by him. Do you understand that? And so the author is now going to go through and give us four qualities that Jesus Christ possesses that makes him greater than the angels.

The Bible is not about you getting spiritual. The Bible is about you recentering your worship on the Lord Jesus Christ, and experience them. He says, Jesus Christ possesses this, number one, Jesus Christ possesses a greater name. Jesus Christ possesses a greater name. It says, "Having become as much better than the angels, he has inherited a more excellent name than they." You say, well, when did that happen? He's always had a name greater than they. But keep this in mind, the second person of the Trinity who's always existed 2,000 years ago humbled Himself by putting on flesh, making himself a little lower than the angels, temporarily giving up many of his rights to do whatever and humbling himself to his father. But after his death and resurrection, he was exalted. And he was given a different name. What name? The name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus, every knee will bow and every tongue confess that He is Lord to the glory of God the Father.

You say, what's the big deal about a name? Who cares what a person's name is? A name has everything. A name is your reputation. A name is who you are. But I've heard people say the sweetest word in any language is the person's name. If people remember your name, it means they remember you. They remember part of your identity. That's all throughout the Bible. I mean, think about these verses. "You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain." Some people will say, well, I just won't swear bad words. And if I do, I won't use the word Jesus. That's not what it means to take His name in vain. That means to take his reputation that you know to be true and not live according to it, that's taking his name in vain.

"Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be your name." Jesus was given the name that's above every name. Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Whoever calls on his reputation and his work and what he's done. Names are important. Names are important. Your name means something. I knew from the time I was young, my name Jeff meant God's peace. I was wondering for years like what that meant, because I'm like, I wasn't the most peaceful person. And it didn't bring peace to a lot of people's lives as a kid. But as I got older, I started thinking now, as I love the gospel, the gospel is the gospel of peace and God uses me as a mouthpiece, and maybe Jeff has to bring God's peace to people through the gospel. Your name means something as well.

All throughout the Old Testament, there's several different names for God. God's name could simply be God, and that would be enough. But throughout the Old Testament, we see lots of different names to describe our God. Jehovah has different names. Think about this. Jehovah-Jireh, the Lord who provides. Jehovah Shalom, the God of peace. Jehovah-Rapha, the God that heals. Jehovah Sabaoth, the Lord of hosts. Jehovah Elohim, the Lord most high. Jehovah-Rophi, the Lord is my shepherd.

We spent time as a staff this week during our prayer time going over Psalm 23, talking about the Lord is my shepherd and what that means and walking through those six verses. We were just asking people, what insights do you see? And what do you have? And what does it mean that God's guiding us? And why is that so important that we know that no matter what, it's the Lord that's guiding us through everything to get us home and what he's going to do. And we spent a half an hour, we weren't even close to understanding the entirety of the passage. I've had a passage memorized since I was a kid, and I'm still learning about what it means that the Lord is my shepherd. But why all the different names? Why not just one name? Why not just God?

Here's why. Because God knows that in your life, you're going to go through different situations, and you're going to need to call on that name to help you at that time with that experience. Some of you need to call on Jehovah-Jireh this week, because you feel incomplete and impoverished in certain ways. And you're calling upon the God that provides, the one that will supply all of your needs, according to his glorious riches in Christ. That's who our God is. Some of you are sick, you need to call on Jehovah-Rapha, for the Lord who heals because God is still a healer today.

I mean, think about this. When David was squaring off against Goliath, the nine foot six giant. And he's looking at him, he says, "What am I, a dog, that you're going to come at me with sticks?" And what did David say? He doesn't say no, I've been working out at 24-Hour Fitness, you're done, man. That's not what he says. He says, "I am not coming at you with javelin or spear. But I am coming at you in the name of the Lord of hosts." What name did he call on? I'm coming at you with the name that I need, which is the warrior God, and he's going to put you down. So it doesn't matter whether I pick up a slingshot, a spear, a sword or a little stone, you're going down not because of me, but you've been disobedient. You're not under the covenant. You have no right to be here and my warrior, God, is going to put you down today.

Friends in your life, God gives you a name so you can call on his different names at different times, so you can see how complete our God is. Why do you think God takes you through circumstances that you can't complete by yourself? Because he wants you to learn a new nature of his character. His name, Jesus Christ has a greater name. He's greater than the angels. I mean, even Paul brought the Gospel to Galatia. He said in Galatians 1:8, "But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel contrary to the one you've heard, let him be anathema." Don't listen to angels. Listen to Jesus Christ, is what he says. And it's really important that we understand this. Because sometimes we want to get all spiritual and see God do different things. But we have different ways of getting there.

Some people think we should be praying to angels or praying to saints, and which one should we pray to? And how should we pray to them? So let me just help you out. None of them. You should never pray to anybody other than the Lord Jesus Christ. For there's one mediator between God and man, that's the man Jesus Christ, the God man, Jesus Christ. He's the one who lives to make intercession for you. You don't need anybody else. You need Jesus. And some people like to play around with the spiritual world and Ouija boards and all this stuff. It's dangerous to do that.

Remember in Acts 19, there was a high priest named Sceva, he had seven sons, they were watching Paul perform miracles, and everybody else performed miracles. And they said, "I adjure you by the gospel that Paul preaches." And the demons spoke up, said, "Well, Paul, I know and Jesus, I know. But who are you?" And gave him a wooping. And those seven sons fled naked. Don't play with demons. Don't play with fallen angels. Don't play with evil spirits. Jesus Christ is greater than all of them. Don't listen to the lies that they can tell your future. No one knows the future but God. That's what he's saying. Jesus has a greater name. He has a great reputation.

Now, what name is given in this text? There's one that's been jumping out all over the page from the beginning of this book until now, and we're only five verses down. He says, "For to which of the angels did he ever say, 'You are my son; today I have begotten you." And again, "I will be a father to him and he shall be a son to me." That's Psalm 2:7 and 2 Samuel 7:14. What's the title he wants us to get through this? Jesus Christ, His Son. There's a relationship between father and son. If you study the New Testament, here's what you're going to see. The son is always pursuing the Father. He always wants to do what his father is doing. He says, "I only do what I see my father doing."

At age 12, when his parents were looking for him, they found him in the temple. He said, "Did you not know I had to be in my father's house." He was sneaking away to spend time with his father. In the garden. He was talking to his father saying, "Dad, if there's any other way, let me know what to do." On the cross, what was he saying? "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." He was always talking to his father, his father, his father. What was the father talking to? He's talking to his son, he's talking to his son. He's my beloved son. When Jesus came up out of the waters of baptism, and also at his transfiguration, a voice boomed from heaven and said, "This is my beloved Son, whom I love. In him I am well pleased." His greater name.

God sometimes in the Old Testament refers to angels as sons of God. We're called children of God, but we're never singularly called the Son of God. I'm not the Son of God. I've been adopted by God, I'm one of his sons, but Jesus Christ is God's only begotten Son. There's cults out there that say that Jesus was the son of the devil was a son, and Jesus was a good son, and the devil was a bad son. No, Jesus is the Son. He doesn't have any others. We can be adopted into his family as sons and daughters, but Jesus is the Son. Amen? And he wants us to see that relationship because there's something special about relationships.

For those of you that have children, specifically sons, you may see other boys. You may have a love for your son's friends, but you're going to love your son differently. Grandparents, I've watched you. There may be other grandkids out there, but nobody quite like yours. Here's the truth. God loves his son. This is my beloved son, he's mine. It's possessive. He's beloved, he's cherished. He's my son. It's relationship. I'm pleased in him. I'm satisfied. And I remember the first time I heard this truth after I became a believer, Howard Hendricks spelled it out for us one day in class and said, "Because you're in Christ now, you need to understand something. No matter what you do or how hard you try to perform, god can't love you any more than he already loves you right now. And no matter what you do, God can't love you any less. He loves you unconditionally."

I've had that thought in my heart, I've preached that. I mean, it blows me away. Because even though I can believe it, I have a hard time experiencing that. Like God, do you really loved me that much? This week, I had a special thought as I was studying God's word because of who we are in Christ. I mean, think about this. Here's the so what, because someone's come to church, but yeah, I already knew Jesus had a greater name than the angels. I already knew he was the greatest name. So what? Glad you asked? Do you know that when you're in Christ, you've been given a new name too? You've been given a new name, you're a saint. You're chosen, you're holly, you're loved, you're cherished, you're forgiven. That's who you are and nothing can ever change that.

And as I was praying this week and spending time with the Lord, here's the thought that came to me, not because of who you are, not because of who I am personally, but what the Lord showed me is, Jeff, because you're in Christ, I love you as much as I love my own son, and I always have. When I say in here at the end of service and say you are loved, it's not a pastoral thing just to get us home. God, if you're in Christ, God loves you as much as he loves Jesus. The enemy will say, "No, no, no. You don't understand. You don't know me." I mean, even last night before I came here, you don't even know what I did. No. You don't understand.

If you're in Christ, God loves you with that level of unconditional love. And if you can walk in the fullness of your new name of who you are, knowing that you're completely loved, you'll live differently. Because you won't do like the song does go looking for love in all the wrong places. Because you'll know that the God of the universe loves you as much as he loves his son. How awesome is that thought. It blew me away this week when I was thinking about it. He has a greater name. He has a greater name. Even though God use the angels as a mediator to bring the law, even though angels are spiritual beings that are powerful, that are more powerful than us, they're messengers, they're servants, they're worshipers, Jesus Christ has a greater name.

Secondly, he possesses this, Jesus Christ possesses a greater essence, a greater essence, a greater nature, a greater character. Notice what it says in verse six, I'm quoting Psalm 97. "And when he again brings the first born into the world, he says, 'And let all the angels of God worship him.'" When he again, well, when's he bringing him back? Now notice this, it says the firstborn, when he again brings the firstborn, and people say, well, look, he was the firstborn. Firstborn means premiere, chief, it's [protocol 00:26:56]. He's the chief of those who have ever been born of a woman. Why? Because when Jesus Christ was born, he wasn't just all human, he was all deity at the same time. That's why he was conceived by the Holy Spirit. He's the firstborn because he is premiere of all human beings.

And when again, God brings his first born into the world, let all the angels rejoice. Well, what does that mean? He's coming back. And he's coming back soon. And when he does, get this picture, all the angels of heaven are going to be rejoicing. And you'll see them at that time. Because remember on his first trip into the world, on his first advent, what happened on the night he came into the world? A host of all the angels appeared in heaven, saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased." And then they went back into heaven. When Jesus comes back again, the second time, every angel will be dispatched from the throne, so that the world will see all the angels rejoicing over God's one and only son. Amen? And it's happening and it's going to happen soon. When? Soon.

The more I see the news, and the more I see the world, and the more I read my Bible, the more I think it's sooner than I ever thought. He's got a greater essence, a greater nature, which means he's worthy of worship. What else is he? Verse seven, quoting Psalm 104:4 says, "And of all the angels," he says, "who makes his angels winds and his ministers a flame of fire?" He makes his angels winds and as ministers a flame of fire. I mean, you think about Jesus's messengers, so powerful that every time one shows up, do not be afraid, don't fear, don't faint, it's going to be okay. Just one. I mean, how powerful. Those are his messengers. It means Jesus has authority over every single angel.

The ones who have disobeyed, some of them are being kept in gloomy dungeons in the abyss waiting for their judgment. He has authority over them all. I mean, when they get dispatched, he doesn't dispatch them so they'll see angels or we'll see angels and worship them. As a matter of fact, in the book of Revelation, there's a couple of times where the apostle John sees an angel, falls on his face. And the angel says, "No, no, no. Get up. I'm just like you. I'm just like you. We're not much different." I mean, sometimes we picture like there's human beings, and then there's all these angels up there, and then a little higher is God.

You need to understand, there's something unique about human beings. On creation, we were created on day six. We were created different than the angels. We were created in the image of God. Angels were not. Paul says in 1 Corinthians, "Do you not realize that you will judge the angels?" Angels will be ministering servants forever. You bear the witness of the king. You're image bearers of God. Human beings are the crown of God's creation. You don't want to wish that, man, I wish I would have been an angel. No, you don't. You're thankful that you're a human being created by God Almighty in his image. That's who you are.

Satan is the one that lies to us and tells us that human beings aren't important. God tells us human beings are the crown of his creation. Whether you're male or female and regardless of your age, you were created with a purpose and you're special. The reason you can create and think and make decisions and move on them and live obediently is because you were created differently than any other part of God's created order. Here, Jesus has a greater essence he was created to be worshiped. We talked about this last week.

No human being was created to be worshiped. It doesn't work well when you try to live that way. If you get married to be worshiped, you are going to have a miserable marriage. If you have kids, so that you think you're going to be worshiped, you're going to be miserable parents. If you walk around in your job and hope that you're worshiped, it'll never going to be fulfilled. And even in those famous positions, where we look to people and say, that's so awesome. Everybody knows them. Look, I'm going to give them a glory. Those people cannot be satisfied from what they're receiving. They weren't created for that. But you were created to worship. You were created to give God your greatest allegiance. And your greatest satisfaction is found when you're worshiping him, the one who's worthy of your worship, the one who has all authority. And notice what else about this name.

Notice what it says in verse eight, quoting Psalm 45:6, it says, "But of the sun," he says, "Your throne, oh, God is forever and ever. And the righteous scepter is the scepter of his kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness. Therefore, God, your God has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your companions." Not only is he worthy of worship, not only does he have all authority, he's righteous. His character is unchanging. It's who he is. He's a righteous God. He loves what is right and he hates what is wrong. And He's no respecter of persons. And this is so incredible for us when we think about, well, what benefit is this to me? I mean, I get the name that I've been given a new name. But what about this essence? I don't have that. I'm not called to be worshiped. I don't have all authority. I don't have all righteousness.

Here's the truth. If you've been born again by the Spirit of God through repentance and faith, you've been given a new nature. You've been given a new essence. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, a new essence with a new nature. Old things have passed away, behold, all things have been made new." Galatians 2:20, "I've been crucified with Christ. It's no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me, the life I live by faith, I live by flesh and the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me." Christ is in me. It's Christ in me, the hope of glory.

You say, well, what is worship, authority and righteousness have to do with me? Great. If you've been given a new nature by Christ, God gave you the ability to worship. When you worship, you have the power to defeat everything that comes your way. Worship is a weapon. Worship is not gathering together and singing songs. Worship is giving your allegiance to the Lord Jesus Christ in every way. Worship is saying, I'm needy, and God, I'm dependent. Worship is saying, I need your help in this situation. Worship is singing to God. Unreservedly. It's raising your hands, it's clapping, it's celebrating who he is. It could be kneeling, it could be laying on the ground, it could be crying tears, it's giving him allegiance, because where you are weak, there he is strong. That's worship.

God always brings us through situations we can't handle so that we'll learn these things. Someone's like, yeah, I should probably go to church. No. Of course, you should be at church, you should learn to worship. Worship is essential for what you're doing. Well, what about authority? If worship gives you the power to defeat demons, authority gives you power over demons. For battles, not against flesh and blood, it's against demons, it's against evil spirits. Well, how are they going to go away? Well, we better worship. I don't like to sing. Well, you better get over that. Because I don't want to live oppressed.

There's certain people that have been saved, but still live under the oppression that they don't need to live under because they don't realize the authority that they have in Christ. God not only has the ability to forgive all your sins, but to free you from the oppression that you're in. He's still the God who frees. He's still the God who heals. He's still the God who provides. He's still the God who delivers. That's who our God is. We think sometimes just magically going to happen if I go to church or if I don't go to church. No. If I'm worshiping, and I know for certain that Christ has authority, and I'm in Christ, and I have authority over all those things too, through Christ.

And then what about righteousness? Well, I don't have righteousness, but the Bible tells me that I am righteous because when I trusted Christ, he clothed me in his righteousness, so I am righteous. And it's not a work of my own, it's what Christ did for me. And if worships the power to defeat demons and authority is the power over demons, then righteousness is the power to deliver from demons. When I walk in righteousness and I walk in purity and I walk in truth, I unleash the Spirit of God to do more and in through me than ever before. Friends, Jesus Christ is a greater essence, a greater nature, a greater character than anyone you could ever study or anyone you could ever be around. And if you peel back the curtain and you begin to look at who he is, you'll realize he's worthy of all your life.

So for some people are like, well, I don't really go to church anymore. I just study Jesus. All you're telling me is you're getting your tail kicked by the enemy. Because if you're not worshiping the Lord and community and you're not seeking his authority, and living the way he wants you to do, and you're not experiencing his presence among you, you're not experiencing Jesus to the full. Friends, I love our church. I love that we worship the Lord, I love that we hear the word of God, I love that we seek him in prayer, I love that we share the Gospel, I love all that. But there's other measures and steps even beyond that, that not only does he want to let you experience him on a weekend, he wants to set you free from your sin. He wants to heal you from disease. He wants to do things in your life that even as I'm talking about it, you hear the enemy say, not you, man, this is kind of getting freaky.

Here's why. Because he wants you to live in bondage for the rest of your life and just eek by and get saved. If you're saved. Jesus wants you to have the fullness of everything he designed for you. Ain't that awesome? Jesus Christ has a greater name, Jesus Christ possesses a greater essence, Jesus Christ also possesses greater responsibility, greater responsibility. Notice this in verse 10. It says, "In you, Lord, in the beginning, laid the foundation of the Earth, and the heavens are the works of your hands. They will perish, but you remain, and they will all become old like a garment." This is Psalm 102 I'm quoting. "And like a mantle, you will roll them up, like a garment, they will also be changed, but you are the same and your yours will not come to an end." Do you hear some truths about who this Jesus is? What gives him ultimate responsibility?

Well, if he's created the world, that means before anything existed, that he had to be here. Means this. Here's why he has a greater name, Jesus Christ is eternal and there is no other one who is only. Our God is eternal. There's never a time that the second person of the Trinity did not exist. He's always existed. Father, Son, and Spirit have always existed. You say, well, if the father begotten the son, then wasn't there like a split second in time where the son didn't exist, and then God created him. No. He's not the same essence as the father. If the father is eternal, he can beget that which is eternal. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have always been eternal in community perfectly forever. That's who he is. That's who our God is, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. So Jesus Christ is eternal.

When we read about this God, man, Jesus, in the New Testament, we're reading about the one who's always existed. We're reading about the one who the scriptures testify to. Meaning, he's unlike anyone else. He's eternal. And what else do we know about him? He's the Creator. He created all things. I talked to you last week about my art projects. I mean, the way Jesus creates, he spoke, there it was. I mean, just once in my childhood, I would have liked to say, "Lord, create a piece of art and go." I mean, even if it was like a bad picture, it would have been great. I mean, everything God creates.

And the beauty you see, and the mountains you see, and the planets, and the stars, and the sun, and the universe that you look through a telescope, all the way down to the most finite atom and all the different parts of the body and everything that you see, he created it all. And when we see it, we should say glory. And God would say back to us, "Yeah. And you're looking at my fallen creation. You should have seen it before. And wait for what's coming because no eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind is conceived what God has prepared for those who love him. You think it's good now? Wait till do you see what's coming. That's what our God would say. Amen?

Amen.

He's the Creator, he's eternal. And he's also like this, notice what it says at the end of verse 12, "But you are the same. The heavens and earth will pass away, but your word will never pass away." I mean, sometimes we're around people, and they're good, but people are people. I mean, sometimes even in our best intentions, we let people down. Sometimes even when we're trying to do the right thing, we do the wrong thing. Sometimes we wonder when we're working with somebody or for somebody, how are they going to handle that? Is that really going to work out? Are they going to really be true to their word or not?

Let me tell you about Jesus. He's the same yesterday, today and forever. Every day you wake up like, I wonder if he still was merciful? Yes. I wonder if he still as forgiving? Absolutely. I wonder if he's still as in control as he was when I went to bed? For sure he is he never ever changes. The theological word is immutable. Immutable means unchanging. Our God does not change. That's why when you read the Bible from Genesis through the end of Revelation, you'll see that he's always been the same. When I hear people say, well, he's not like that now but he was back in the book of Acts, they're wrong. Because the Bible says he has not changed. God is still at work. God still wants to do the things that he's always wanted to do. That's who our God is. He's alive.

He didn't invite you to church today so you could sit there and go home and feel better about yourself. He invited you here so you could experience the eternal, living God in your soul and be transformed and changed. Ain't hat Awesome? That's who our God is. He's got greater responsibility. His unchangeability, his immutability, it's beautiful. You say, what does that have to do with me? I mean, he's got all responsibility. He's the creator, he's eternal, I'm not. But I'm here to tell you, when you're in Christ, you have a greater responsibility too. Once you come to Christ, you've got a greater responsibility than you ever had before you came to know Christ.

Because remember how Jesus commissioned his disciples at the end of Matthew's gospel? He told them who he was, all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. But he didn't stop there. He didn't say all authority in heaven and earth has been given to me, and I'm awesome. See you later. Therefore, go. Understood? You go. Make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in teaching them to obey everything I've commanded you. I'll be with you always to the end of the age. What was he saying? He's saying one day you're going to be accountable for what I gave you authority to do. How much authority does he have? All authority.

Where? Everywhere you'd ever go and beyond where you could ever reach, he has all authority. And what does he want you to do? He wants you to live and share the gospel of Jesus Christ, and by his grace, exercise, his authority that he has over the things that you're ministering to. That's what he wants. So when you get to heaven, just understand, no matter how successful you are in this world, they really don't matter. I mean, when you get to heaven, you don't want to bring to the table, as everybody's being rewarded for how well they shared the gospel, lived the gospel and did all those things, you don't want to come and say, I was number three in sales that year. And here's the amount. I mean, you should see my 401(k) back home. I mean, there's really nothing to share at that point in time.

What you want to share is, Lord, I believe that your name was greater and that your nature was greater. And that when I trusted you, you gave me a new identity and a new name, and you gave me a new nature, and you gave me greater responsibility, and I did my best to live my life so that you would be glorified. That's what you're rewarded for. And there's great return on investment. There's not one of you who can hear my voice that would say, well, wish I hadn't wasted so much time praying and reading my Bible are worshiping while I was on earth. What a waste of time that was. I wish I hadn't shared the gospel. There's not one of you that will say that. All of us would say, if I would have only known, I would have done more.

In the movie a number of years ago, the movie Schindler's List, where Oscar Schindler protected several Jews from going to concentration camps and being killed. I mean, even as he did so much good, at the end of the movie, he's kind of looking at watches and different things he could have given away like, I could have done that, I could have saved one more, I could have done ... He did great. But there was always more. Friends, you individually, we as a church, collectively, we're not going to reach everyone with the gospel. We can't do it all. But God doesn't ask us to do it all. He says, I'll do it all. I'm just looking for willing hearts that are willing to be obedient, day by day, month after month, week after week, knowing who you are, and living that out to the full. That's what he wants for you. You have a great responsibility.

God takes us through circumstances in our life so that will trust him. So we can see him show up with that level of responsibility. I mean, several of us here, the reason that we don't step out for the Lord is we say things like this, I'm just really not that good. And I'm really not that smart. And I really don't have what it takes. What could I ever do for the Lord? I mean, I don't play guitar, or sing, or preach. I guess there's nothing left for me. You're wrong. You have a responsibility. In your own sphere of influence, you're the person God's trying to use the most with everybody that you come into contact with.

And he says this, "Jesus Christ also has a greater position." Notice how he ends this. "But to which of the angels Has he ever said ..." Like, has he ever talked to an angel and said this, "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet?" Who else has he ever said that to besides his son? Who is completely glorified through his death, burial and resurrection on the cross, who ascended to heaven and sat down at the right hand of God, the Father almighty who said, "Just take a seat. You did your work. Just wait until the entire world boughs before you. You're my son. He didn't say it's any other angel. Did he? No. Just his Son, Jesus Christ.

He's been given a new position. The position of King of Kings, of Lord of Lords. He doesn't have a peer. He's not competing. He's the undisputed king of the universe, and there is no other. He's not in a battle for his position. Because notice what he says about angels. Are they not all ministering spirits? They're not to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation. Angels are servants, right? They'll always be servants, right? They'll always be serving you now, they'll serve in the millennial kingdom, they'll serve you in heaven forever and ever. They're all servants, right? But not you, Jesus. You're the King of kings and the Lord of lords. You're the one every single person is going to bow to. You're the one that every single creature in all creation is going to give allegiance to, because that's who you are.

And here's the reality. If Jesus has the greatest position in the world, then what does that mean if we're in Christ? Did you know you've been given a new position too? Did you know you've been given a new position too? I mean, think about the book of Ephesians 2:5-6, it says, "Even when we were dead in our transgressions, he made us alive together with Christ, by grace you have been saved." God is the one who saves us. Notice what it says in verse six, "And raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus." Physically, when we get saved, we stay here, our feet stay remaining on the ground. But spiritually, what's our position? We're seated in the heavenly realms with Christ. Spiritually, we're already there. Spiritually, we're already victors. Spiritually, we already have a new identity. Spiritually, we already have victory. That's our position.

What does the enemy lie to you and say, you're not all that. I mean, look at you, you think you got it together. I mean, you know you don't have it together. Not according to the Word of God. According to the Word of God, I've been given a new name, a new nature, I have a new responsibility and I've given a new position. I'm seated with the King of kings and the Lord of lords. And if God is for me, who can be against me? And greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world. And here's the truth, when you believe these things and you begin to walk them out, and you truly believe that Jesus Christ is everything he says he is, and he has imparted to you, everything he says you are, you'll live differently.

It won't be your effort trying to please God, it won't be your disappointment that you didn't do it. It will be my God is already so pleased with me, because of my faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus, that I can live in this world with his authority and his nature and his name and his essence and his position, because he's imparted all those truths into me. That's who I am. Why do you think the devil is so busy lying to us all the time? Because he knows if the church were ever unleashed to be who God says we are, he can't stop it. "I will build my church," Jesus says, "and the gates of hell cannot prevail against it." Death can't even stop with the Church of Jesus Christ can do.

Now hear what I'm saying when I end. Sometimes we think church is building with a steeple. Now that's just the gathering place of the church. Those of you who believe in Jesus Christ, word of the church, we're his bride. We're who he wants to use. If you understand these truths, you're going to see the New Testament differently. Many people live their entire Christian existence and missed this. And we read verses like Ephesians 3:20-21 and we're like, that's so nice. Glory to God. But if you're really living the gospel, it's going to make your mouth drop and say, God, you could do that through me? And he's going to say, yeah, I can. Now to him. That's all Glory to Jesus, who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we asked her think.

How many by show of hands believe Jesus can do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think? According to his glorious power that works within us. Where's the power get unleashed? In us, in you, in us, collectively, in us who all believe in Jesus across the globe, that's where his power is unleashed. To him be glory in the church, and in Christ Jesus, to all generations forever and ever. Amen. How is God going to do his mighty, glorious works of power? Through us. Specifically, through you. And here's what we said. Yeah, maybe I'll pray about joining a small group. That's not what he's saying. He's saying, God put you on this earth with a unique design to do only what you can do. And that's why you hear lies all the time.

You're not smart enough. You don't have enough resources. You don't know the right people. Look at your past. Look at your sin. Look at all these things that you've done wrong. And here's what we say, yeah, I probably can't do much. And then you hear a word and you hear God say, no, you can. And then you think, okay, well, God, just show me the money. Show me all the resources. Show me the people that I need. And then I'll step into. And God's like, that's not faith. Faith is you believe that God can, you believe that God does, and you act as if he's going to. That's when God shows up. That's when he comes through. You believe you got a new name and Christ, you believe you have a new essence because of Christ. You believe that you have a new responsibility because of Christ, you believe you have a new position because of Christ, then walk in it. And if you walk in it, you will see the glory of God unleashed in and through you.

See, Satan knows he's already a defeated foe. He knows his future is already in the lake of fire. All he has left is lies. That's his only superpower. He can't touch you. You belong to God. The only thing you can do is listen to his lies. And if you listen to his lies and believe them, then you go off the path. Satan knows that if you live in the truth, believe the truth and act on the truth, he can't stop what God wants to do through you. I feel I need to say this. There's some of you here that God's put things on your heart, some of you weeks ago, some of you months ago, some of you years ago and you feel like I wasted it. How come I didn't listen to God back then?

Here's here's what I'm telling you. 1 Thessalonians 5:24, "He who called you is faithful, he will surely do it." The devil will tell you, you wasted too much time, you should have known better, it's too late now. You can't get remarried, you you blew it then, you can't have a kid, you you can't serve in that ministry. You can't do that, you don't have the money, you should have gone to seminary a long time. God can still accomplish through you everything you still put on your heart. He's a redemptive God who loves you no matter what you've been through.

By the way, just so you know, when we get to heaven, and you get to see more of the stories that people have been through. And everybody's authentic, and everybody's real. And everybody's vulnerable. Here's what you're going to see with everybody in heaven. Everybody's got scars, warts, hurts and hang ups. Everybody has things they failed in. And even though sometimes we can't be totally authentic here on this side of heaven, because we're afraid that we'll get judged up there, it's almost a badge of honor. Yeah, I was that, and I was that, and I was that. And God brought me through and look what he did. There's no person on this planet that from the time they breathe until they die has done everything that God wanted them to do, except for Jesus Christ. All of us have come short. Some of yo need to hear that.

Some of you are saying, where was this message 30 years ago? It was right in your Bible, you didn't read it. And God wants you to know the message now. That's why you're here today. He's given you a new name, a new nature, a new responsibility, and a new position. So that you know that in Christ you have everything you need for life and godliness to be everything God wants you to be. And you are loved with the same love that God loves his own son. Receive that today. Amen?

Amen.

Amen. Amen. I'm going to encourage you to hold the elements that you have, that you brought in, I wish I could give instructions for how to open them, I still have not figured that out. I need more dexterity at my fingertips, I think. But as you hold these elements, they're representative of the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. They represent the single reason that we're gathered, not because of how great we are, but how great our God is who gave us the greatest gift of His Son, Jesus Christ, who gave his life by shedding His blood on a cross so that you who are steeped in sin could not only be completely forgiven, but be completely righteous, and holy, and good, and have all the shame and guilt removed from your life. That's why he came.

So as you hear this song sung over you, I want you to prepare your heart in any way. Some of you need to give your life to Jesus Christ right now, and celebrate this meal with us together. Some of you may want to sit and reflect, some of you may want to stand in worship, however, you got to prepare your heart. And then when we're done singing this song, Pastor Justin in Westminster, and I, here in Inglewood, we'll come back, we'll take the elements together as a family of God, knowing what this is really all about. The promises we get today and that we received today have nothing to do with how good you've been or what you've been. They have everything to do with how great our God is. Amen? Amen. Let's pray.

Lord Jesus, Lord, as we hear this song sung, Lord, we give you praise, glory and honor. We thank you for your goodness to us. If you're here today, and you've never trusted Jesus Christ as your own personal Lord and Savior, you can pray this way. Lord, I know I'm a sinner, but I believe you died for all my sins and rose from the dead. Right now I turn from my sin and confess you as my Lord and Savior. Come into my life, Lord. For those of you who know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, maybe there's something the Lord showed you today, a new step of faith, a new direction he wants you to take. And he wants you to know that in Christ, you already have the victory. Lord, do work in and through us today as we celebrate what you've done for us. We give you all the praise and glory in Jesus name, amen and amen.